24 vs 27 vs 32 Inch Monitor: Which Size is Best?
Find the perfect monitor size for your gaming setup
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Quick Size Guide
Competitive Gaming
Esports, FPS, small desks
Sweet Spot
All-around gaming & work
Immersive Gaming
RPGs, sims, media, deep desks
The short answer: 27 inches is the most versatile choice for most gamers. It's large enough to be immersive but small enough to scan quickly in competitive games. Choose 24" for pure esports or 32" for maximum immersion with a large desk.
Size Comparison Table
| Specification | 24 Inch | 27 Inch | 32 Inch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Width | 21 inches | 23.5 inches | 28 inches |
| Screen Height | 12 inches | 13.5 inches | 16 inches |
| Best Resolution | 1080p | 1440p | 1440p / 4K |
| PPI at Best Res | 92 PPI | 109 PPI | 92-138 PPI |
| Ideal Viewing Distance | 2-3 feet | 2.5-3.5 feet | 3-4 feet |
| Min Desk Depth | 20 inches | 24 inches | 30 inches |
| Best For | Esports, FPS | All gaming | Immersive, RPGs |
| Price Range | $150-350 | $200-600 | $300-800 |
24 Inch Monitors
Advantages
- + Entire screen visible without eye movement
- + 1080p looks sharp at this size
- + Esports standard - used by pros
- + Fits smaller desks easily
- + Most affordable size category
- + Easier on GPU (1080p)
Disadvantages
- - Less immersive for single-player games
- - Small for productivity/multitasking
- - 1440p at 24" offers diminishing returns
- - Can feel cramped for open-world games
Best 24" Monitor Recommendations
- BenQ ZOWIE XL2546K: 240Hz TN, esports standard, DyAc+
- ASUS VG259QM: 280Hz IPS, fast IPS with great colors
- LG 24GN650-B: 144Hz IPS, excellent value, great colors
27 Inch Monitors
The Sweet Spot: 27 inches is the most popular gaming monitor size because it balances immersion, competitive viability, and desk space requirements.
Advantages
- + Perfect for 1440p (109 PPI)
- + Good for both competitive and immersive gaming
- + Excellent for productivity and work
- + Most monitor variety at this size
- + Fits most standard desks
- + Best balance of price and features
Disadvantages
- - 1080p looks less sharp (82 PPI)
- - Not quite as focused as 24" for pure esports
- - 1440p requires mid-range+ GPU
- - Fewer ultra-high refresh options (vs 24")
Best 27" Monitor Recommendations
- LG 27GP850-B: 165Hz Nano IPS, excellent colors, great all-rounder
- ASUS VG27AQ1A: 170Hz IPS, ELMB Sync, competitive pricing
- Samsung Odyssey G7: 240Hz VA, best for contrast + speed
- Dell S2722DGM: 165Hz VA curved, excellent budget option
32 Inch Monitors
Advantages
- + Most immersive 16:9 gaming experience
- + Ideal for 4K gaming (138 PPI)
- + Excellent for media consumption
- + Can replace dual 24" setup
- + Best for simulation games
Disadvantages
- - Requires large/deep desk
- - Too big for competitive FPS
- - 1440p at 32" isn't super sharp (92 PPI)
- - 4K requires high-end GPU
- - More expensive than smaller sizes
- - May cause neck strain if too close
Best 32" Monitor Recommendations
- Samsung Odyssey G7 32": 1440p 240Hz VA, fast + immersive
- LG 32GP850-B: 1440p 165Hz Nano IPS, excellent colors
- Gigabyte M32U: 4K 144Hz IPS, great for 4K gaming
- ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQ: 4K 144Hz IPS, HDMI 2.1 for consoles
Size & Resolution Pairing
Resolution matters more as screens get larger. Here's what works best:
PPI (Pixels Per Inch) by Size/Resolution
| Size | 1080p PPI | 1440p PPI | 4K PPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24" | 92 (ideal) | 122 (overkill) | 184 (excessive) |
| 27" | 82 (acceptable) | 109 (ideal) | 163 (sharp) |
| 32" | 69 (too low) | 92 (acceptable) | 138 (ideal) |
24" = 1080p
92 PPI is the sweet spot. 1440p offers minimal benefit at this size. Stick with 1080p and enjoy higher refresh rates.
27" = 1440p
109 PPI is ideal. 1080p works but text isn't as crisp. 1440p is the perfect balance of sharpness and GPU requirements.
32" = 1440p or 4K
1440p is acceptable (92 PPI), 4K is ideal (138 PPI). Avoid 1080p at 32" - text and UI will look blurry.
Viewing Distance Guide
The right viewing distance ensures comfortable gaming without eye strain or excessive head movement.
Recommended Viewing Distances
Desk depth matters: Standard desks are 24-30" deep. At 24" depth, you'll sit about 2-2.5 feet from the screen. This is perfect for 24-27" monitors but can feel overwhelming with 32". Measure your desk before buying!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 24 or 27 inch better for gaming?
For competitive esports, 24" is preferred - you can see the entire screen without eye movement. For immersive gaming and general use, 27" offers more screen real estate. Most gamers find 27" to be the overall best choice.
Is 32 inch too big for a desk?
It depends on desk depth. At typical desk distance (2-3 feet), 32" requires more head movement and can feel overwhelming. With a deep desk (30"+) or sitting further back, 32" works well. For standard desks, 27" is more comfortable.
What resolution should I get for each monitor size?
24": 1080p is perfect. 27": 1440p is ideal (1080p is acceptable). 32": 1440p minimum, 4K preferred. Higher resolution at larger sizes keeps text and images sharp.
What size monitor do pro gamers use?
Most esports professionals use 24-25" monitors at 1080p 240Hz+. The smaller size keeps all game elements visible without moving eyes from center. BenQ ZOWIE and ASUS TUF are popular pro choices.
How far should I sit from a 27 inch monitor?
Optimal viewing distance for 27" is 2.5-3.5 feet (75-105cm). At this distance, you can see the entire screen comfortably. Closer works for competitive gaming; further back for immersive experiences.